Kylee Hanel and Robert Oehler take Victory at 2026 UNBOUND Gravel 100

UNBOUND Gravel 100 — Fierce Racing and Flint Hills Mud Define the 2026 Edition

While the 200-mile and XL fields battled storms, crashes, and chaos across the Flint Hills, the 2026 UNBOUND Gravel 100 delivered its own drama. With overnight rain turning key sectors into thick, wheel-stopping peanut-butter mud, both the Elite Men’s and Elite Women’s races became tests of power, finesse, and resilience.

Despite the conditions, the racing was fast, aggressive, and decided by razor-thin margins.

Elite Men — Oehler Takes Command in a Tactical, Mud-Soaked Battle

Robert Oehler of New Albany, Ohio, delivered a commanding performance to win the Elite Men’s UNBOUND 100 in 05:04:39, averaging an impressive 20.92 mph on a course that punished anyone who misjudged a line or hesitated in the mud.

Oehler broke clear in the final third of the race, navigating the slick, rutted sectors with precision while others faltered. His gap held steady over the final miles, but the battle behind him was fierce.

New Zealander Finn McKenzie chased hard, finishing 2 minutes 13 seconds back, while 20-year-old Canadian Oskar Stack-Michasiw of Saskatoon surged late to finish just one second behind McKenzie. The podium was separated by barely two minutes — a testament to how tight the racing remained despite the brutal conditions.

The men’s field spoke afterward of sections where bikes clogged instantly, forcing riders to shoulder their machines and run. Oehler’s ability to stay smooth through the worst of the mud proved decisive.

Elite Women — Hanel Rises Above the Chaos for a Breakthrough Win

In the Elite Women’s 100, Kylee Hanel of Portland, Oregon, delivered a breakout ride to take the win in 05:36:38. Hanel managed the mud with remarkable consistency, avoiding the mechanicals and mishaps that derailed many of her rivals.

Samantha Johnson of Johnson City, Tennessee, finished 2 minutes 31 seconds back after a strong solo chase, while Ellory Clason of Grand Rapids, Michigan, rounded out the podium in 05:39:23.

The women’s race saw multiple reshuffles as riders bogged down in the worst peanut-butter mud sections — the kind of sticky, clay-heavy terrain that has defined so many editions of Unbound. Hanel’s steady pacing and clean bike handling allowed her to pull away when others were forced to stop and scrape mud from their drivetrains.

A Classic Unbound 100: Fast, Fierce, and Defined by the Flint Hills

The 2026 UNBOUND Gravel 100 delivered everything the event is known for:

- High-speed racing on the fast, rolling Kansas gravel
- Technical chaos in the mud-soaked sectors
- Tight podium battles in both the men’s and women’s fields
- Breakthrough performances from rising North American talent

While the 200-mile and XL races grabbed headlines for their storm-induced carnage, the 100-mile event showcased pure gravel racing — fast, tactical, and shaped by the riders who best adapted to the Flint Hills’ unpredictable terrain.

For Oehler and Hanel, it was a day of mastery. For everyone else, it was a reminder that in Kansas, nothing comes easy.

2026 UNBOUND Gravel 100 — Elite Men Top 10

1. Robert Oehler (USA) — 5:04:39 — 20.92 mph

2. Finn McKenzie (NZL) — 5:06:52 — 20.77 mph

3. Oskar Stack-Michasiw (CAN) — 5:06:53 — 20.77 mph

4. Holden Krizek (USA) — 5:10:19 — 20.53 mph

5. Jack Spang (USA) — 5:10:50 — 20.50 mph

6. Oliver Rutberg (USA) — 5:13:01 — 20.36 mph

7. Isaac Allred (USA) — 5:13:01 — 20.36 mph

8. Ryker Brand (USA) — 5:13:53 — 20.30 mph

9. Calvin Horner (USA) — 5:13:54 — 20.30 mph

10. Jacob Schneller (USA) — 5:13:55 — 20.30 mph